A Guide to the Metal Recycling Process

Recycling is commonly thought of as a boon for the environment, but it’s actually good for the economy as well. Metal recycling, for example, enables businesses to make good use of existing materials instead of relying solely on newly mined ores. Metals are perfect for this process, as they can retain their properties despite countless reuse. Fortunately, metals are able to go through the following steps to become viable raw materials again:

Collection

The first step is the collection of discarded items. These include collecting tin cans, steel containers, old appliances, car parts, and the like. When it comes to metallic household wastes, it’s best that they are cleaned well before being taken to the local recycling depot. It is also suggested that the flats and bottoms be removed with the containers flattened for efficient storage. When it comes to metal recycling in Houston, residents can depend on a number of excellent facilities around the area.

Sorting

The items will then have to be sorted according to type and quality. The end product can only be as good as the base materials. Therefore, sorting facilities have to differentiate between useable items and those that are badly rusted pieces. Like items must go together, as each type of metal will require slightly different forms of treatment.

Processing

Once the metals have been sorted, the metal scraps are then placed in a machine that compresses them to squeeze out air. This results in more compact blocks that are easier to handle. They allow for a greater efficiency in space consumption.

Shredding

Next up is shredding and cutting the metal sheets into thin strips, typically used for aluminum cans. Steel items, on the other hand, are cut into small blocks. By reducing them in size, it becomes easier to melt them up, with less energy expenditure required for heating.

Melting

Finally, metal shreds are dumped into a furnace for melting. The resulting liquid is then purified using a variety of methods to enhance the quality. The metal is then cooled before delivery to the mills, where they convert them into thousands of different and reusable products.